Best Caffeine Shampoo For Thinning Hair

Last updated by Dr Sarah Brewer on October 23rd, 2018

Caffeine shampoo is by far the best shampoo for to reduce hair loss. Using a caffeine shampoo is invaluable when your hair starts to thin. A few lucky people maintain a thick head of hair throughout life, but most of us – men and women alike – notice our hair becoming finer from middle-age onwards. The discovery that applying a weak solution of caffeine to the scalp reactivates hair follicles and reduces hair loss means there is now a simple way to help slow the hair ageing process. If a caffeine shampoo alone doesn’t provide optimal results, a premium shampoo that includes caffeine plus extracts from Saw palmetto fruit may work better for you.

Caffeine topical applications inhibit an enzyme, 5-α-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within scalp hair follicles; DHT switches off scalp follicles and is associated with both male and female pattern hair loss.

Although testosterone is often referred to as the ‘male’ sex hormone, it is present in women, too – usually at levels that are around 20 times lower than those in men. For women, the relative influence of testosterone becomes greater as oestrogen levels fall as the menopause approaches. That’s why many women notice their hair quality and quantity reducing from around the age of 40.

Caffeine boosts hair growth

Even at low concentrations, topical caffeine inhibits the effects of DHT to stimulate follicles and promote a more luxuriant hair growth. Just two minutes contact with your scalp is all that’s needed for the caffeine in a shampoo to penetrate deeply into your hair follicles and get to work.

Once stabilised within the hair follicles, caffeine stays there for up to 48 hours, even if you wash your hair again – although for best results, use a caffeinated shampoo each time.

Researchers have found that a leave-on combination of caffeine plus key B vitamins stimulates hair growth enough to increase the cross-sectional area of scalp hair by as much as 10%, producing a noticeable thickening effect on thinning hair.

Don’t reach for a cup of tea or coffee however – caffeine that is ingested is processed and diluted before it reaches the hair follicles and will not have the same effect! In fact, drinking too much caffeine can also have unwanted effects on your blood pressure.

I’m often asked ‘Does caffeine shampoo work for hair loss.’ The answer is an emphatic YES, and you can read the results of caffeine shampoo hair loss studies below.

I’ve also been asked if you can apply used tea leaves or coffee grounds to your scalp for a similar effect. The answer is no! Apart from being messy, caffeine is water-soluble and quickly seeps from the tea leaves or coffee grounds into the hot water while brewing so that little active caffeine remains in the dregs. The caffeine in shampoo, conditioner and hair lotion is also complexed with a carrier base to maximise absorption into your follicles. Don’t let me stop you if you really want to take the ‘au naturel’ approach, but I really recommend using a caffeine shampoo and other products specifically designed to go on your hair!

Does caffeine shampoo work for hair loss?

Researchers have stated that applying treatments directly to the hair follicles is essential for an effective treatment of premature hair loss. The penetration of active caffeine into hair follicles is proven to occur from applying a caffeine shampoo to your hair for just 2 minutes.

An Italian study involving 33 men with male-pattern hair loss (known medically as androgenetic alopecia) compared the effects of caffeine shampoo against a placebo shampoo in 2012. They concluded that caffeine shampoo was significantly more effective than placebo, with more than twice as many people randomised to use caffeine shampoo stating they were satisfied with the results (84.8%) compared with 36.4% using placebo.

A study comparing the effects of combining caffeine shampoo with the medically prescribed treatment, minoxidil 5% solution, found that caffeine improved the effects of minoxidil in terms of hair density. From day 120 onwards, the combined treatment showed statistically significantly better results than using minoxidil solution alone.

A 2017 clinical trial involving 210 men with male-pattern hair loss directly compared the effects of a topical caffeine liquid against minoxidil solution in a ‘head to head’ trial. Half the men applied minoxidil 5% solution regularly, for six months, and half used an 0.2% caffeine-based topical liquid. The number of scalp hairs in the growth (anagen) phase were assessed before and after the trial.

Both groups of men showed similar improvements with an average increase in the anagen ratio of 10.59% with the caffeine solution, and 11.68% with the minoxidil solution (a non-statistically significant difference of 1.09%). The researchers concluded that a caffeine-based topical liquid was not inferior to minoxidil 5% solution in reducing hair loss in men with male pattern hair loss.

On a personal note, I have used Plantur caffeine shampoo and conditioner for over 2 years and would not want to switch – my hair growth is massively improved.

For women: Dr Wolff’s Plantur 39 shampoo, condition and scalp tonic

I noticed a dramatic improvement in the thickness and strength of my hair soon after starting to use Dr Wolff’s range of caffeinated shampoo, conditioner and scalp tonic.

The original range, Plantur 39 (sometimes affectionately referred to as Panther 39 shampoo!) is designed for women over 40.

A new range, Plantur 21, is now also available that is designed for younger hair that is noticeably thinning before that age, in which poor hair growth is associated with lack of energy, stress, or nutritional deficiencies.

Does Plantur 39 work?

When I’m asked if Plantur 39 is any good, I reply with a resounding Yes! I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my own hair since using Plantur 39 caffeine shampoo, conditioner and tonic and would not personally be without them.

At one time my hair was so thin I needed hair extensions, invisibly woven in at the sides, so my scalp did not show through. This produced an amazing, glamorous result (thanks to the inimitable Lucinda Ellery and her team in London, New York and Los Angeles). But now my hair is back to normal, thanks to Dr Wolff’s discovery that topical caffeine blocks the action of DHT which has allowed my hair to grow back. Judging from the positive reviews, which you can read here, other people have found the Plantur ranges effective, too.

Although hair thinning is more common in women over the age of 39, some younger women notice hair thinning, too. This can be due to genetic effects, hormone conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or can occur temporarily after pregnancy, or following physical or emotional stress such as undergoing surgery, or experiencing a bereavement.

Dr Wolff therefore developed a range of caffeine shampoos for younger women, and the Plantur 21 shampoo reviews show that many women found it effective.

For men: Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo and Caffeine Liquid

I knew my other half wouldn’t want to use a product designed for women, so I went in search of a more manly range for him.

The Alpecin caffeine range of hair products is also from the Dr Wolff stable and makes a noticeable difference within a few weeks.

My husband has his hair cut monthly now, rather than every 6 to 8 weeks as before!

If you also have problems with dandruff, the Alpecin Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo is for you. This helps to loosen scaly cells, reduces inflammation, discourages growth of the yeasts which trigger dandruff (through an immune effect) as well as providing the all important caffeine to stimulate hair growth.

For men who are turning grey, there is Alpecin Tuning Shampoo which promotes the formation of natural melanin pigment and tints early grey hairs to help make hair look darker and fuller. It also contains the all-important caffeine to stimulate hair growth.

And finally, there is an Alpecin Caffeine After Shampoo Liquid Hair Energizer, 200ml which you can apply in the morning, after washing, to your towel-dried scalp to massage in. Leave in place to dry, briefly, then style as usual.

This product boosts the caffeine action on hair follicles for 24 hours.

Caffeine and saw palmetto shampoo for thinning hair

Saw palmetto is a small palm tree whose berries are a traditional herbal medicine for male urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate gland (BPH). Like caffeine, saw palmetto extracts have been shown to block the action of the enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase, and reduce the conversion of the hormone, testosterone, to the more powerful dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In cell culture studies, saw palmetto extracts reduced this enzyme activity by as much as 45%.

If caffeine shampoos alone have not provided the response you were looking for, then a premium combination shampoo that includes caffeine and saw palmetto extracts may provide better results.

In a study testing the effectiveness of oral saw palmetto extracts for male pattern baldness, 60% of males who took the supplement were rated as improved after 4 to 5 months treatment. Although oral saw palmetto extracts are not recommended for women, several shampoos now combine caffeine plus saw palmetto extracts and, for topical use, can be used by both men and women with thinning hair.

If you haven’t yet discovered caffeinated shampoos then you are in for a pleasant surprise. Caffeine shampoo really works for reducing thinning hair. As your hair grows relatively slowly, it might take a few weeks before you notice a significant difference or see less scalp showing through your hair. Do persevere – you have to wash yoru hair anyway, so stick with it and you will notice a benefit.

Is caffeine shampoo bad for you?

No side effects have been reported. The topical caffeine is absorbed into the hari follicles but so little reaches teh blood stream that it will not have systemic effects such as raising blood pressure or causing the jitters. The only people who should avoid it are those who develop a sensitivity reaction, which is extremely rare.

Other things you can do to improve hair growth include:

massaging your scalp gently with your fingers every day to stimulate blood circulation and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles

holding a handful of hair and gently moving it in small circles to help loosen your scalp

About Dr Sarah Brewer

QUORA EXPERT - TOP WRITER 2018
Dr Sarah Brewer MSc (Nutr Med), MA (Cantab), MB, BChir, RNutr, MBANT, CNHC qualified from Cambridge University with degrees in Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery. After working in general practice, she gained a master's degree in nutritional medicine from the University of Surrey. Sarah is a registered Medical Doctor, a registered Nutritionist and a registered Nutritional Therapist. She is an award winning author of over 60 popular self-help books and a columnist for Prima magazine.

54 thoughts on “Best Caffeine Shampoo For Thinning Hair”

Dear Doctor
I’m a woman 44yo with androgenic alopecia. I’m starting to use alpecin shampoo C1 and alpecin hair energizer (both designed for men). Are there any contraindications in using the men range by a woman? Do you think the woman range would work better in woman or is the smell the only difference? Alpecin has a strong masculine perfume and mi husband doesn’t like it on me.
Many thanks!

Hi Maria, Topical formulations of caffeine shampoo normally contain 1% to 3% caffeine. Studies have shown benefit at a level of 1%. I’ve found an on-line statement that suggests Alpecin caffeine shampoo C1 contains 1% caffeine, but am unable to confirm the level of caffeine in Plantur although I doubt it is less than 1%. The important thing is to leave the shampoo in contact with the scalp for at least 2 minutes, to allow caffeine penetration into hair follicles. Using the solution daily, in between washes, will also help. I also recommend Lucinda Ellery hairloss consultancy for weaving in new hair to disguise thinning sections. Lucinda has transformed many women’s lives. Best wishes, Sarah B

if i use the tonic in the morning do i need to wet my hair first and how long to leave it on do i need to massage it in and how long for. does i matter if it is 20 seconds over the time or does it have to be the exact time, when we wet and apply it usually takes up to 20-30 seconds before we start to massage in. also can i use for example any other shampoo whatever brand name with the tonic or does it have to be in the plantur range. for example can i use vosene or herbal esssence or any other brand name as i bought these shampoos long before i found the plantur shampoo range.

Hi Deb, the ideal is to have ‘not a day without caffeine’ on your scalp. Use the Plantur shampoo to wash your hair and leave in for 2 minutes before rinsing. Use the Plantur tonic on days when you don’t wash your hair, massage into your scalp (without wetting hair first) and allow to dry. It doesn’t need to be rinsed out. If you use another shampoo it will not supply caffeine, so you woudl need to use the plantur tonic on your scalp afterwards for optimal results and daily treatment of caffeine. For intensive treatment or prevention of menopausal hair loss, it is best to use both the Planutr 39 shampoo and the tonic. Normally you can expect to see noticeably reduced hair loss after three to four months as hair follicls reactivate and new, thicker hair starts to grow through. Best wishes, Sarah B

There is a dandruff shampoo in the Alpecin range – there is no reason why this should not be used by women – the concentration of active ingredients is similar (if not slightly stronger) but the packaging is aimed at males. Best wishes, Sarah B

i am 60 and have used both plantur 39 brittle and for coloured hair but so far i still have seen no changes, i like to see a doctor but all they say is the usual it will all go when we get to ninety not much use seeing skeletons walking around with no hair, i think they mean we all did one die day so let is all fall out, they see us as walking skeletons with numbers, do i need to see a doctor to see a trichologist and can they recommend what to eat and what vitamins etc. to take. doctors never take any over 50, 60 seriously.

hi deb, if the plantur 39 is not working for you, then it is possible that your hair loss is related to another cause such as iron deficieny or underactive thyroid gland. Your doctor shoudl be willing ot check you for these – if not consider finding a more sympathetic one! You can see a private trichologist without needing a medical referral. If you are interested in having hair added to disguise or volumise thinning areas, the absolute master of this is Lucinda Ellery Hair Loss Consultancy who has 5 salons throughout the UK plus some in the US. Best wishes, Sarah B

On my second bottle of planter 39 and I could tell the difference after the first few times of using it. However the conditioner is a different story, it’s thin and watery and I have long hair, I was struggling to get a comb through my hair after using it so I had to use a detangling lotion which made my hair greasy. I have found in Poundland nutrafix caffeine conditioner which is better but not much but cheaper than planter.

Hi Prateek, Your clinic should have advised on teh best care for your hair transplants – it will depend on whether or not they have found caffeine has a constricting effect on the new blood vessels that are growing in to the follicles. Best to ask your surgeon. If they say caffeine containing shampoos are OK, then the ones I recommend are featured on this page. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Best wishes, Sarah B

Hi Tom, The concentration of caffeine in caffeinated shampoos ranges from 1% to 3%. This is absorbed into the hair follicles – very little reaches the circulation and it is unlikely to affect blood pressure significantly. I have a website to help lower a high blood pressure, in which a post describes how to assess your individual sensitivity and whether or not caffeine raises your blood pressure. You could try checking your blood pressure before and after using the shampoo. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Sarah B

I tried using Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo every day for 2 weeks, but was finding a significant amount of hair in my hands every time after washing.

My hair seems to be thinning a lot, I’m a 24yr old male. Could you recommend that this is the right product and how many times I should use it a week .. or perhaps it’s the wrong product to be using on my hair.

I find that I have a lack of advice from all sources, thus I would greatly appreciate some tips/advice from you, Sarah.

Hi Dominic, If you are losing hair significantly, do see your doctor to check for possible medical causes, such as low iron levels or underactive thyroid. If all seems well, otherwise, then a multivitamin and mineral supplement will help safeguard against any nutritional deficiencies. You may also benefit from seeing a trichologist. Plantur is more designed or women – you may find the Alpecin range better for you – it may have higher caffeine levels for males, although the company won’t confirm this for me! best wishes, Sarah B

I’m a 24 year old female, I’ve had very thin/fine hair my whole life. I went to the docs a few times as a teen but they couldn’t find any reason for it. I do everything I can to avoid further thinning, I have never straightened/curled my hair, I never blow dry it, I never dye it, I’m careful when I brush it… I’ve been looking at the Plantur 21 and 39 and Alpecin C1 shampoos trying to see if they are worth it. I would really like to know the concentrations of caffeine in each of the shampoos but I can’t find this information anywhere. Do you know? Or do you know which would have the strongest concentration?

Hi Hannah, I have emailed Dr Wolff International to ask what the caffeine concentrations are and will post an update if they get back to me. In the meantime, one published paper states that commercially available topical formulations of caffeine shampoo normally contain 3% caffeine. Studies have shown benefit at a level of 1%. I’ve found an on-line FAQ that says Alpecin caffeine shampoo C1 contains 1% caffeine. Like you, I’ve not been able to find the caffeine concentration of the Plantur range. Hopefully I will get back to you with an exact answer soon. Best wishes, Sarah B

The response from the scientific laboratory of Dr. Wolff HQ in Germany is as follows: ‘Due to formulation secret we cannot disclose the exact caffeine concentration however we can reveal the concentration range of caffeine in our products. In our in Plantur 21, Plantur 39 and Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo the caffeine concentration range is 1-3%. In our Alpecin Caffeine Liquid, Plantur 21 Nutri-Coffein-Elixir and Plantur 39 Phyto-caffeine Tonic the concentration range of caffeine is 0,1-1 %. The latter are our leave on products which don’t get washed out.’ Hope that helps. Sarah B

Hi Jake, That is an excellent question to which I do not have an answer. You will need to ask the people who will be administering the hair follicle drug test whether or not a caffeinated shampoo could affect the results. Best wishes, Sarah B

HI Jenny, yes it’s certainly worth a go. It is designed for women aged 40+ to help improve hair thinning associated with the hormone changes (lower oestrogen, higher relative testosterone0 that exists in perimenopause and post menopause. Let me know if it helps – you shoud lnotice a difference within 3 months. Best wishes, Sarah B

Hi Gaz, Yours is the first report I’ve heard of caffeine shampoo not slowing hair loss. Its possible that you need a stronger dose (eg Caffeine Liquid) or that there is another cause for your hair loss other than DHT switching off follicles (eg iron deficiency, underactive thyroid, alopecia). Have you sought advice from a trichologist? Best wishes, Sarah B

Hi Pamela, sorry to hear about your hair loss. Thyroid conditions can cause diffuse loss of hair, but in most cases scalp and eyebrow hair loss is temporary, and resolves with treatment. There is some good advice on the British Thyroid Foundation website here. I can also recommend Lucinda Ellery’s approach to weaving in really natural looking hair – her team can even create real looking partings. I’ve used her system myself and the Intralace system she has perfected is astonishingly realistic. She has salons in London, Manchester, Edinburth, Bristol, Midlands, Los Angeles and New York. LucindaEllery-Hairloss The Plantur caffeine shampoo range may help if you are also 40+ and have age-related hair thinning in addition to that caused by the overactive thyroid. Best wishes, Sarah B

I watched Rip Off Britain and an expert was on it stating that caffeine shampoos are definitely not proven to have any effect on the hair it has only been tested on hair which has come out of the scalp no tests ha e been conducted on a living scalp

Hi Anne, That is not correct. A clinical trial involving 210 men has shown that an 0.2% caffeine-based topical liquid is as effective as a 5% solution of the drug, minoxidil, in reducing hair loss in men with male pattern hair loss, after 6 months use. Another study found that caffeine shampoo was more effective than placebo in 33 people – in addition, 84.8% of those randomised to use caffeine shampoo were satisfied with the results, compared with 36.4% using placebo. Caffeine has been shown to improve teh effects of minoxidil in terms of hair density in 30 men, too. From day 120 onwards, combined treatment showed statistically significantly better results. Researchers have stated that ‘Follicular drug delivery is the prerequisite for an effective treatment of androgenetic alopecia or other reasons for premature hair loss.’ The penetration of active caffeine into hair follicles has been proven to occur from a 2 minute shampoo application. I have used Plantur caffeine shampoo and conditioner for over 2 years and would not want to switch – my hair growth is massively improved. Best wishes, Sarah B

Hi Ann, Any of the Plantur 39 range will help. If the hair is coloured, then opt for the coloured and stressed hair range. Other wise, the fine and brittle range wil be best for someone aged 60 as the follicles will naturally be shrinking to produce finer hair. The scalp tonic will also provide additional benefit. This is such an excellent range which has made a great difference to many women’s hair. Best wishes, Sarha B

Hi, I have thinning hair mostly on my crown and it’s begging to upset me a lot. I tied using nioxin shampoo and conditioner 6 months ago but it’s simply not working. Is it worth my while to spend more money on products that ,any not work?

Hi June, Nioxin is not a hair loss treatment but is designed to ‘increase the health of the scalp’ and condition the hair with increadients such as silk amino acids. The Plantur 39 range contains active ingredeents that swtich off the hormone, DHT, in hair follicles that is associated with follicle shrinking. If you haven’t already tried a caffeinated shampoo it is definitely worth trying – they are not that expensive. I noticed improvements within a couple of months. Hope that helps, best wishes, Sarah B

Hi Dr Sarah, great review! I have a history of hair loss and recently started losing alot hair after finishing a long course of medication. I’ve started using the Plantur 39 shampoo and have noticed a reduction in hair loss but wanted to check if it’s safe to use during pregnancy?

Hi Penny, Hair usually grows luxuriantly during pregnancy due to the high circulating levels of hormones and growth factors present, so you probably won’t need to use a caffeine shampoo during pregnancy. It’s in the weeks and months after pregnancy when hair thinning can occur, as all the life cycle synchronise and reach the end of the growth cycle at the same time so more hair than normal is shed (telogen effluvium). According to the manufacturer, the amount of caffeine present is safe even for people who are caffeine sensitve, as only tiny amounts are needed to sink into the hair follicles. Given that drinking one or two cups of coffee is acceptable during pregnancy, a caffeine containing shampoo is unlikely to cause any concerns. Best wishes, Sarah B

I found this article so interesting! I am a coffee-a-holic and even have a coffee blog about making good coffee at home Any use for caffeine is something I am interested in. I have never heard of caffeinated shampoos! I became gray at a young age (23) and wonder if something like this would have helped me.

I was amazed to learn how this also helps with thinning hair and dandruff. I have a daughter that uses a lot of dandruff shampoo and loses a lot of hair. I have thought that maybe the medication in the shampoo could be leading to these problems. I am wondering if this product would be a better alternative? Do you know if these shampoos are available in the US?

What a great post Dr Sarah! My family have a huge history in trying different kind of shampoos throughout our lives. We always look for the best and it takes a big stressing time. I’ll show this to my mother and sister, I’m pretty sure that they will love it. Thank you for the thorough details, I really like your site! 🙂

Hi Dr. Sarah, This is great information. I had never heard that caffeine stimulates hair growth. I’ve been dealing with thinning hair since my late 20s. I have tried Rogaine, Nioxin, with no real effect. Currently I’m using a shampoo called mane and tale, originally was made for horses and now has become popular as part of a solution for thinning hair. Not sure if it works either. Does the shampoo with caffeine have any unusual effects on people who don’t drink coffee? such as increase heart rate?

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you are happy to accept cookies, please click on OK. If you wish to refuse cookies, please click NO. For more information, read our Privacy Policy. Thank you.OKNoRead more